Author: Ugochukwu Oha-Ema

Niger’s military junta celebrated the first anniversary of its coup with a grand rally in the capital city of Niamey on Friday. Thousands of supporters gathered at the stadium, dressed in clothes bearing photos of regime members and chanting the name of junta chief Abdourahamane Tiani. The event was heavily secured, with armored vehicles deployed around the venue. Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine hailed the occasion as a “great popular support” for the regime. “Never in our country’s recent history has an event received such great popular support,” he said. The junta has made significant changes since taking power,…

In a bid to halt the naira’s free fall, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has injected $148 million into the foreign exchange market. The intervention, which took place on July 22 and 23, 2024, involved 29 authorized dealers and was aimed at promoting market stability and reducing volatility. Despite previous efforts, including the sale of $122.67 million to 46 authorized dealers two weeks ago and the announcement of $20,000 sales to BDCs at N1,450/$1, the naira has continued to depreciate, trading above N1,600 at the official market on Thursday. The CBN’s latest move involves the sale of foreign exchange…

Former Super Eagles captain Mikel John Obi has issued a strong warning to Nigerian footballers plying their trade abroad, emphasizing that Nigeria should never be considered a second option. In a candid video on his podcast show, The Obi One Podcast, Mikel stressed that football talents of Nigerian or African descent should prioritize their roots. He expressed frustration with players who only consider representing Nigeria when their international careers are dwindling. Mikel’s message was clear: “We’re not second options. Don’t wait until 29, 30, then you’re (like) ‘Oh, Nigerian FA, I’m ready to play for you now’ No, f**k off…

Controversial Nigerian singer, Portable, has sparked debate by opposing the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1-10, 2024. Despite the economic hardship faced by citizens, Portable claims there is no reason to protest, attributing it to laziness. In an Instagram post, Portable warned against being asked to perform during the protest, stating, “It won’t be well with anyone who tells me to perform during the protest… Please, I need money, I’m hustling.” He advised individuals to focus on personal struggles rather than protesting, saying, “Don’t fight for Nigeria, fight for yourself. Nigeria is okay, you are the one who is…

The Defence Headquarters has warned against the planned nationwide protest in Kenya, stating that it has intelligence that the protest will be hijacked by unscrupulous elements and turn violent. According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, the protest aims to replicate the violence seen in Kenya, where peaceful rallies against tax hikes descended into deadly violence. Buba warned that the protest could lead to a state of anarchy, with targets including persons with smartphones and cars, places of worship, businesses, and members of opposing political parties. The military will not stand by and allow anarchy…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to crush anyone who tries to divide Russian society, hailing the effectiveness and loyalty of the country’s law enforcement agencies. Putin has escalated a decades-long crackdown on civil society, independent media, and opposition, with dissent and criticism of the Kremlin outlawed and punishable by years-long prison sentences. “Those who try to intimidate people, to split our society, to play on religious or national feelings will never succeed,” Putin said. “Inevitable and just retribution awaits them.” Putin paid tribute to various Russian law enforcement agencies, including the Investigative Committee and the FSB security services, praising…

Nigerian singer, Khaid, has made a triumphant return to social media after a long and challenging battle with an undisclosed ailment. The young singer, who was hospitalized on April 16 due to internal bleeding, shared new photos of himself on Wednesday morning, showcasing his remarkable recovery. The photos, which show Khaid posing in front of a car and in an apartment, reveal a hale and hearty individual. Khaid’s return to social media is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite his health challenges, he has remained strong and focused, and his fans are thrilled to see him back. In…

Students of tertiary institutions in Lagos State have distanced themselves from the planned national protest against hardship in the country, tagged ‘#EndBad Governance in Nigeria’. Instead, the students, under the National Association of Nigerian Students in Lagos, have resolved to embark on a solidarity walk in support of the state government from August 1 to 10. The students described the planned nationwide protests as “absolutely uncalled for” and appealed to Nigerians to persevere and enjoy the dividends of democracy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The students commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support and investment in education, including the establishment…

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has announced a significant decline in crime rates across the country, with major crimes dropping to 416 in the last month, compared to 734 in May and 530 in June. Egbetokun attributed the success to the strategies deployed by the police, which have yielded significant results and accentuated the stability of the internal security order. He commended police personnel for their passion and commitment to executing the strategies, saying, “It is gratifying to note that the strategies deployed and duly executed by our officers and their undiluted passion and commitment have yielded significant…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has quashed rumors of Kevin De Bruyne’s departure, stating, “Kevin is NOT leaving” amidst speculation of a move to the Saudi Pro League. Guardiola’s confirmation comes after De Bruyne was linked to a summer transfer to Saudi Arabia, with one year remaining on his contract. However, the manager is unconcerned, saying, “No, Kevin is NOT leaving.” De Bruyne played a crucial role in City’s Premier League title win last season, his sixth at the club. Guardiola is keen to retain his star player, amid interest from Saudi Arabia. Guardiola hinted that he expects to retain…